Kathmandu, October 6
Recent floods, landslides and climate-related disasters have caused preliminary damage worth Rs 227 billion to the country’s infrastructure.
Padma Kumar Mainali, secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, gave the figure at a meeting of the Parliamentary Special Committee on the Impact of Climate Change in the Himalayas, Climate Justice and the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli Disaster, held at Singha Durbar. He said Rs 63 billion is needed immediately for reconstruction.
Secretary Mainali presented a detailed account of the damage, saying housing, the road network, bridges and drinking water infrastructure were badly hit.
According to Mainali, housing (private and public) suffered the most damage. Damage to 7,570 private and 48 public buildings totals Rs 103.54 billion.
The preliminary estimate also puts damage at Rs 20 billion for the road network, Rs 13.80 billion for motorable bridges, Rs 2.65 billion for suspension bridges and Rs 87.87 billion for drinking water and sanitation.
Mainali said the total damage reaches US$1.48 billion (nearly Rs 227 billion), and that this raises serious questions about foreign assistance for climate justice.
“According to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development’s preliminary assessment, damage to buildings, roads, motorable and suspension bridges and drinking water is estimated at Rs 227 billion,” he said. “This is a preliminary figure, and exact details will come later.”
He added, “Prioritising restoration of connectivity, 12 of the 20 damaged suspension bridges have been repaired. A Bailey bridge is being built in the Betrawati area, and work is moving ahead to restore road links gradually through Dhunche and Syafrubesi up to Rasuwagadhi. Land has been identified for resettlement. Design and construction are being prepared with a target of building about 300 transitional shelters immediately.”
About Rs 63 billion is needed immediately for overall reconstruction, he said. Given the scale of the damage, he said relief and reconstruction must proceed with a long-term plan.
Mainali claimed the ministry is working at war footing to improve connectivity, with the blocked road in the Trishuli corridor and Bailey bridge construction made priorities.
He said preparations are underway to build about 300 transitional shelters (temporary housing) for victims before the coming Dashain. The government has sought a budget of Rs 63 billion for the initial phase of disaster response and rehabilitation.
